SOCIAL WORK – COMMUNITY ORGANIZER
Assist the community in defining a social problem.
Be an effective communicator to help build coalitions in the community.
Provide direction and guidance to the community in order to mobilize for an
identified cause.
Assist in establishing new programs to meet the needs of individuals, groups, and
the community.
Provide advocacy for the needs of the community
Engage in fundraising and grant writing.
The above list is just a small sample of the responsibilities of social workers in different
fields of practice. But as the list below indicates, social workers are in every aspects of
the community.
Addictions Treatment
Adoptions & Foster Care
Advocacy
Child Abuse
Child Welfare
Chronic Pain
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Community Mental health
Consulting
Criminal Justice
Crisis Intervention
Developmental Disabilities
Disaster Relief
Domestic Violence
Eating Disorders
Employee Assistance
Family Planning
Family Preservation Services
Genetics
Gerontology Services
HIV/AIDS
Homeless Family Assistance
Hospice and Palliative care
Hospital /Medical Social Work
Housing Assistance
In -Home Services
Mental Health Therapy
Military Social Work
Parent Education
Political Development
Private Practice
Public Welfare
Rural Social Work
School Social Work
Veterans’ Services
If you have any questions about the above list please ask your field advisor who will be
able to answer your questions and discuss the responsibilities of each practice area.
References:
National Association of Social Workers (2004) www.naswdc.org/practice/
Gibelman, M. (1995). What Social Workers Do. Washington, DC: NASW Press